Introduction: Before Meryton's Ball

POV of Elizabeth:

We were having dinner. Our mother, Margaret Bennet, was complaining about her "poor nerves" and our celibacy. In this afternoon, Mrs Long talked to her of a gentleman who was named Charles Bingley. He had visited Netherfield's Park located a few miles from our home. Rumours say he was single and very rich. He had got two sisters Caroline who was single and Louisa who was married to Mr Hurst. Our mother insistently asked to her father Thomas Bennett to visit Mr Bingley. Our father didn't want to visit him because he didn't like to mingle with people and wanted to be alone in his library.

Our next ball will be in two days and I was very excited of it. I hoped to find a man who will please me and I will marry him for love not for his money as Mother wanted it. We were five daughters: Jane, myself, Mary, Catherine (Kitty) and Lydia. Jane was 25 years old and had almost married Andrew Pherson but because of his family, he had married Emily Weston. He lived in Sussex and was Jane's first heartache. Mary preferred reading and playing piano. Kitty and Lydia were idiots because like our mother, they thought about only beautiful soldiers, gossips and fashion.

At the middle of the dinner, our father confessed to us that he saw Mr Bingley and his sister Caroline and had presented himself. Our mother was so delighted by the news and said we were lucky that our father thought about our future. Then, we talked about our dresses for the ball at Sir Lucas's home.

POV of Mr Darcy:

I was working at my desk at Pemberley when a servant informed me of my best friend's arrival, Charles Bingley and, unfortunately, his sister Caroline. I couldn't stand her because, as she was single, she always tried to seduce me by her appearance or compliments. Charles, who was not stupid, understood me and tried to support me. I met them in the living room.

«Good morning, Charles, Caroline.

-Good morning, William. Charles answered

-Mr Darcy. Caroline said

-Congratulations Charles for your purchase of Netherfield! I said

-Thank you, William. This place will be perfect for escaping the atmosphere of London.

-How could you say that, Charles? London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with Paris of course. Caroline said with an indignant voice

-Where is Georgiana? She asked

-I'm sorry, she is sleeping. I answered

-Oh, there is no problem, Mr Darcy. She said.

-Sir William Lucas will give a ball at Meryton in two days. Charles said

-No Charles. I will not come.

-Will, please! We will have a good time there and it's not good for you to be locked in here.

-You will not be forced to dance with theses peasants, Monsieur Darcy. You could dance with me. Caroline said with a sensual voice.

-All right, I will come. But only because you are my best friend, Charles. »

Then Charles and Caroline left. Charles had got right like always: I was often locked at Pemberley and I was gloomy and taciturn. I was scared by people because my previous best friend Georges Wickham betrayed me and since, I preferred to be alone as possible. I wanted to be married of course! But my aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who was very rich, wanted to see me marry her daughter Anne, who was sick. If anyone asked my opinion, I will marry a woman for love and not for money. If only that were possible?